Coach Keith Guttin and the Missouri State baseball team has an RPI of 64 headed into this weekend's series at Illinois State. NEWS-LEADER FILE PHOTO

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Missouri State's baseball team sits atop the Missouri Valley Conference and takes a shiny 18-6 record into this weekend's league series at Illinois State.

But as the season approaches the midway point, are the Bears on track for a return trip to the NCAA Tournament? Not necessarily. Without winning the Valley's automatic bid, via the league tournament, there might be some suspense.

The Valley ranked a middling 15th in the simulated Ratings Percentage Index at Warrennolan.com among 31 Division I conferences. Through games of Tuesday, the Bears (No. 64), Creighton (71) and Indiana State ...